The planned new aquatic centre in Spring Hill will feature three new pools and two new diving towers, setting a new benchmark for aquatic sports infrastructure in Australia as preparations continue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A major aquatic facility is set to be developed at the current Centenary Pool site in Spring Hill as part of Brisbane’s Olympic legacy. This project aims to serve both elite athletes and the broader community, offering a world-class training and competition venue.
Two large indoor stadiums will be built, each equipped with pools designed for elite training and high-level competitions. The centre will also include modern amenities to support both athletes and community users.
During the 2032 Games, the venue’s capacity will temporarily expand to over 25,000 seats, making it the largest Olympic swimming venue in Australian history and surpassing the size of the facility used in Paris 2024. Following the Olympics and Paralympics, the National Aquatic Centre will offer a lasting, world-class facility with a permanent seating capacity of 8,000, providing long-term benefits for Australia’s aquatic sports community.
While most aquatic events for the 2032 Games are planned for this new Spring Hill location, the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in Chandler will also undergo necessary upgrades to support the competitions.
Community and National Benefits
Aquatic sports bodies across Australia have strongly supported the development of the National Aquatic Centre in Brisbane, seeing it as a vital legacy project from the 2032 Games. Other potential locations would not meet the long-term needs of both the sporting community and the broader public.
Concerns have been raised that temporary pool solutions or relying solely on existing facilities would fail to provide a lasting aquatic legacy for Brisbane and Queensland. Upgrading the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in Chandler alone is insufficient to address current challenges or deliver significant future benefits.
The proposal for the Spring Hill site aims to create a vibrant community space that will generate economic, health, and social advantages for many years after the Games conclude. The main indoor pool has been designed to accommodate 19,350 spectators during the 2032 Games, which later reduced to at least 5,850 seats. The second indoor pool will have 5,000 seats during the Games, with a legacy capacity of 2,500.
The National Aquatic Centre’s location is also noted for its good access to public transport, being within walking distance of the Exhibition railway line and Brisbane Metro. Its proximity to Brisbane City and Spring Hill hotels and restaurants, suitable land for construction, and potential for expanded parking to serve nearby facilities like the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital are also advantages.
A Hub for Aquatic Sports
The National Aquatic Centre is expected to unlock significant opportunities for Australia’s four major aquatic sports. It will provide a central location for daily high-performance training, athlete development pathways, and community access for people of all ages and abilities.
This project is viewed as a chance to honour Australia’s strong connection to aquatic sports and potentially establish South-East Queensland as a leading global centre for water sports. The long-term strategy has received endorsement from the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, and World Aquatics.
The national aquatic bodies consider investment in a new, permanent facility essential. Research from the Royal Life Saving Society Australia indicates a growing demand for existing public pools and the increasing social value they provide to communities nationwide.
Games Infrastructure Plan
The Queensland Government said the Spring Hill is a key legacy infrastructure for Greater Brisbane from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This plan emerged from a review process and stakeholder consultation.
While a new Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park will be the central Games precinct, the aquatic centre in Spring Hill is a significant sporting venue. Upgrades are also planned for other sporting facilities across Brisbane. Queensland has stated that this infrastructure plan will deliver lasting benefits for decades after the Games.
Olympic champion Cam McEvoy expressed his excitement about the NAC, seeing it as a venue to inspire future athletes and provide state-of-the-art training facilities. He highlighted South-East Queensland’s strong performance in swimming and believes the NAC will further solidify this.
Published Date 16-May-2025
